Do cell-phones have more positive effects than negative effects?

A Wikipedia article has this to say about health risks from cell phones:

The effect mobile phone radiation has on human health is the subject of recent interest and study, as a result of the enormous increase in mobile phone usage throughout the world. Mobile phones use electromagnetic radiation in the microwave range, which some believe may be harmful to human health. A large body of research exists, both epidemiological and experimental, in non-human animals and in humans, of which the majority shows no definite causative relationship between exposure to mobile phones and harmful biological effects in humans. This is often paraphrased simply as the balance of evidence showing no harm to humans from mobile phones, although a significant number of individual studies do suggest such a relationship, or are inconclusive. Other digital wireless systems, such as data communication networks, produce similar radiation.

On 31 May 2011, the World Health Organization stated that mobile phone use may possibly represent a long-term health risk, classifying mobile phone radiation as “possibly carcinogenic to humans” after a team of scientists reviewed studies on cell phone safety. Mobile phones are in category 2B, which ranks it alongside coffee and other possibly carcinogenic substances.

At least some recent studies have found an association between cell phone use and certain kinds of brain and salivary gland tumors. Lennart Hardell and other authors of a 2009 meta-analysis of 11 studies from peer-reviewed journals concluded that cell phone usage for at least ten years “approximately doubles the risk of being diagnosed with a brain tumor on the same (‘ipsilateral’) side of the head as that preferred for cell phone use.”

One study of past cell phone use cited in the report showed a “40% increased risk for gliomas (brain cancer) in the highest category of heavy users (reported average: 30 minutes per day over a 10‐year period).” This is a reversal from their prior position that cancer was unlikely to be caused by cellular phones or their base stations and that reviews had found no convincing evidence for other health effects. Certain countries, including France, have warned against the use of cell phones especially by minors due to health risk uncertainties. However, a study published 24 March 2012 in the British Medical Journal questioned these estimates, because the increase in brain cancers has not paralleled the increase in mobile phone use.

Many of the alleged downsides are only really an issue for the ignorant.

If you are worried about the health risks of cellphones, then stop eating, drinking, or breathing; food, water, and air are also more dangerous than they used to be too. But these are the same people that think sharks kill more people than cows. Look up the numbers.

Contacting easier? Many people feel that a cellphone is a leash, and forget that cellphones don’t automatically mean people can call you any time. Sometimes, I mute my phone. Sometimes I screen my calls based on caller ID. The phone is there for my convenience, not the convenience of those trying to call me.

Okay, you have a car malfunction on a back road miles from any buildings; try calling from a landline. I came across that a few times. One time the “malfunction” was that an oncoming truck smashed their engine right off of the transmission and put the driver into the back seat. Or one that’s happened to me personally; a medical emergency such that I wouldn’t have been able to make it to a regular home phone, but managed to get 911 since I had a phone in my pocket.

@tobycrabtree Yes, cellphones are a subject of recent interest, but I think they are also a bit of a scapegoat. What about wifi, microwave ovens, high-voltage power lines, and other such things that have also become more prevalent in recent years?

Recently I think that cell phones are evil, because I am not too crazy about them and I am not a frequent social networks user but majority of my friends are. So when we go somewhere and constantly check on their facebooks and instagrams. I mean, we are here and living this moment, why would you be so involved into your online friends. So I recently find phones disturbing.

Negative, especially in the US. My daughter who lives in Japan tells me that the Japanese cell phones emit much lower electro-magnetic radiation than the phones here in the US do. I’m not surprised. Our government makes a big deal about “health” and “safety” but it’s often a sham.